Archive for the ‘CWOps’ tag

Worked late. Bed at 4 am. Set alarm for 7:45 am. Didn’t manage to wake up til 9 am and so I got a late start. I’m not used to early AM contesting, and so I really didn’t know where to start. I picked 40m. 80m was not operational at all this weekend due to me swapping out dipoles and not being able to tune up on the CW portion of 80m. [low ant, ends within a few feet of fence rail, parallel and 12′ away from the house. I need to get it moved away from the house and the ends raised some more].

I was trying to participate in at least two CWO sessions as well as work some of NAQP SSB. So really it’s a blur to how it went.

What I can say is that for this being the first year, I thought the turnout was really good. Recognized a lot of the stations, but I also noticed quite a number of calls that I do not remember working in any other test. So it looks like some people really came out of the woodwork for this!

The CWOps events are always a lot of fun. Not as hectic as the sprints, and overall a more casual feel than most other tests. Just what i like.

I played in slots #1 and #2, but buttoned everything up before slot #3 since bad weather was forecast.

Thanks to the creators/sponsors of this find test. I’d declare it a success! It was great to work everyone.

Hard for me to find time midweek for these short ones, but they sure are fun and help break up the monotony between the weekend tests.

WAE DX Contest, CW 0000Z Sat, Aug 13 to 2359Z Sun, Aug 14

Single-op stations can operate up to 36 hours, multi-op up to 48 hours. I forgot all about this one. I had a blast last year, but I struggled learning the whole QTC thing. I don’t think I’ll be any better off in that regard this year. The EU ops are brilliant, patient, and eager to take QTCs.

I’m looking forward to this one. I’ve only operated once or twice in the mini tests, and they are great. I want to be there with bells on for this event.

Three separate four-hour tests. Work any or all three slots.

North American QSO Party, SSB 1800Z Sat, Aug 20 to 0600Z Sun, Aug 21

Single-op stations work 10 of 12 hours, Multi-op work all 12 hours.

SSB typically isn’t my game. Mediocre stations make poor SSB contesting stations. However, this is a domestic constest and is limited to 100w, so there will be lots of mediocre stations just like mine operating. I’ll play in this one.